Scientists changed the names of 27 genes because they did not display badly in Excel

It is easier to change the official names of human genes than to wait for Excel to be updated. The researchers said enough and renamed 27 genes that Excel has so far automatically changed to dates.

You may not have noticed this change, but 27 human genes have changed their names over the past year. All because of the growing annoyance when entering names into Excel sheets.

The rapid development of genetics and genomics would not have been possible without the elaboration of the sequence of the human genome. When the full genome sequence was published in 2004, it was found that the human genome contains approx. 22–25 thousand. protein-coding genes. According to the latest knowledge, the International Human Genome Sequencing Consortium estimates that there are 26-40 thousand of such genes.

27 of them made it difficult to enter into Excel.

Excel can be loved or hated, but even in the latter case, it should be tolerated. With large amounts of data, Microsoft’s program can be irreplaceable, especially as it is a market standard. It turns out that even scientists working out the genome use it.

THRILLED by this announcement by the Human Gene Nomenclature Committee. pic.twitter.com/BqLIOMm69d

– Janna Hutz (@jannahutz) August 4, 2020

Over the years, they have struggled with the annoying problem of Excel. Some gene names were automatically changed to dates by Excel . An example is the Membrane Associated Ring-CH-Type Finger 1 gene, whose code name is MARCH1. After typing it into a cell in the spreadsheet, the program changed the cell type to date, and the researchers could see "1-Mar" in the worksheet.

The goblet of bitterness finally overflowed and a decision was made to rename 27 genes. This may be just the beginning of the changes, as according to estimates as much as 20 percent. gene names can be problematic in Excel. This MARCH1 was renamed MARCHF1 and another problematic gene SEPT1 is now SEPTIN1.

"Gene nomenclature should evolve with new technology"

Gene name updates have been approved by the HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC).

The HGNC adheres to the principle that "the nomenclature of genes should not be restrictive, but should evolve with new technology." All approved symbols for human genes can be found in the HGNC database .

Code markings of the habit MARCHF1 are not standard, however. When you have over 20,000 names, sometimes you can go crazy, even when you’re a genome scientist. As a result, the names of some genes can be really crazy, such as the gene " sonic hedgehog , SHH", which takes its name from the Sonic the hedgehog in the famous series of video games by Sega.

By the way, scientists in passing proved that Excel – although it can be irreplaceable – can be really irritating.

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Scientists changed the names of 27 genes because they did not display badly in Excel

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